The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has decided to uphold the union loophole in state campaign finance law, meaning that the state will continue to give an unfair advantage to unions over businesses when it comes to political speech.

Massachusetts is one of only six states that prohibits employers—but not unions—from contributing to political parties, committees, or candidates. Kentucky had a similar lopsided ban until 2016 when a federal district court ruled the ban unconstitutional in response to a Goldwater Institute lawsuit. The Massachusetts loophole bans political contributions from employers while allowing unions, including out of state unions, to contribute up to $15,000 to a single candidate. Individuals can only donate up to $1,000. Under current law, unions may also contribute via political action committees, while PACs supported by employers are prohibited.

Last night was quite the night for the State House & Senate. Despite having almost two years to do their job, legislators waited until the last minute on major bills with topics ranging from economic development and health care to education funding. Here are some highlights of the bills that were passed:

The Environmental Bond Bill (H4835)

The final bill added another $1B in earmarks from its original House and Senate versions, sending a $2.4B bond bill to the governor’s desk. This bill was loaded with pork projects like splash pads, skate parks, and golf courses. In a first in the nation push, it also calls on state agencies and communities to asses their vulnerability risk to natural disasters in order to plan for the future effects of global warming. Something tells me they should start prioritizing the exorbitant amount of debt they are leaving to future generations of this state with bond bills like this one rather than how the tiny state of MA plays into what they call a global crisis.

MassFiscal Calls on Lawmakers to Reject Budget

Most secretive in the country and largest in state history

BOSTON - The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance issued the following statement today in response to news that House and Senate leaders released their $41.88 billion-dollar budget at 10:04 a.m. and expect lawmakers to approve the budget today. In order to vote on the budget on the same day, it’s made available to the public, the legislature needs to suspend its rules, which were intended to bring transparency to the budget process.

“This is just another case of legislative leaders flaunting their ‘Do as we say, not as we do’ attitude. Whether it’s term limits for leadership or ensuring rank and file members have enough time to review legislation, when Rules become inconvenient they are simply ignored,” commented Paul Craney, spokesman for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance.

“Only in Massachusetts could two sides head into the negotiating room and come out with more spending than either side originally asked for,” continued Craney. “What is the big secret with this budget? Why the rush? It definitely gives the appearance that they’re trying to hide something. Massachusetts is the last state in the country to have a budget and the day it's released, it’s expected to be voted on. Any lawmaker who has a head on their shoulders and pulse should vote against it.”

“It’s the most secretive in the country and largest in state history,” concluded Craney.